AKRON — Bridgestone Americas Inc. is moving the iconic lighted Firestone sign that for decades had been atop the old Firestone headquarters in south Akron to the company's new race tire factory nearby.
The several-foot-high sign, formerly located on the Firestone Plant One building, was refurbished to upgrade its structure and replace its neon lights with energy-efficient LED light bulbs. The sign's installation began on Sept. 20 and the project is estimated to last about a week — weather permitting.
The company, whose Firestone roots in Akron go back over a century, emphasized its commitment to keeping the local landmark in the city, saying it was "honored to have the red letters light up the city once again."
The company collaborated with Akron city officials throughout the process of moving the sign, securing approvals that help to ensure its legacy would continue for many years to come, Bridgestone said.
The Firestone Plant One site is home to the Bridgestone Advanced Technology Workshop, which is where the company makes race tires for the NTT Indycar Series. Bridgestone said it is in the process of moving these operations about a mile south to the Advanced Tire Production Center under construction near the firm's Akron technical center and on schedule for a full-scale opening in 2022.
